For the first time, two women will be awarded the Ranger Tab after passing the Ranger Course, the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence announced today.

Ranger School teaches Ranger students to lead small unit combat operations while pushed to their mental and physical limits, suffering from fatigue, hunger, and stress. The Ranger Course lasts 62 days and teaches leadership and small unit tactics while students are given minimal food and rest. Students failing any phase may be allowed to “recycle” the phase with another Ranger class. The 94 male and two female students completed all phases of Ranger School and will be awarded their Ranger Tabs during a ceremony on August 21.

“This course has proven that every soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential. We owe soldiers the opportunity to serve successfully in any position where they are qualified and capable, and we continue to look for ways to select, train, and retain the best soldiers to meet our nation’s needs,” Army Secretary John M. McHugh said.

“Congratulations to all of our new Rangers. Each Ranger School graduate has shown the physical and mental toughness to successfully lead organizations at any level. This course has proven that every soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential. We owe soldiers the opportunity to serve successfully in any position where they are qualified and capable, and we continue to look for ways to select, train, and retain the best soldiers to meet our nation’s needs,” Army Secretary John M. McHugh said in the announcement.

Students learn how to operate in three different environments during the course, at three different locations: woodlands at Fort Benning, Georgia; mountainous terrain in Dahlonega, Georgia; and coastal swamp at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The course includes a physical fitness test consisting of 49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, a five-mile run in 40 minutes, and six chin-ups; a swim test; a land navigation test; a 12-mile foot march in three hours; several obstacle courses; four days of military mountaineering; three parachute jumps; four air assaults on helicopters; multiple rubber boat movements; and 27 days of mock combat patrols.